Halton Table Tennis Club and their Young Ambassador Jordan Abbot are a fine example of how our Be TT programme can help clubs to grow.
Halton have been involved in Be TT since it first started two years ago. During this time the club have offered a wider choice of table tennis activity for its members and local community to access and play. Through BE TT they have set up a new shorter format league, Women and Girls session and open play social session.
The club recognised that to be able to offer more activity, and to be more socially inclusive for everyone, then they would need to expand their coaching workforce. One of the ways the club have gone about achieving this is through Table Tennis England’s Young Ambassador scheme.
Jordan has been involved with Halton since the age of 10. Over the years he has become involved as a young volunteer and this year won the Young Volunteer of the Year award at the Pride of Table Tennis Awards, having already won the north-west regional award.
Following this, Halton TTC were informed by Table Tennis England Development Officer Andrea Holt about Table Tennis England’s Young Ambassador scheme.
Andrea said: “It’s a scheme to support and reward young volunteers within our clubs. There are young people out there within our clubs who are doing some great work, who are not being recognised for their work and they are the future of our sport.
“It is important that we as a governing body provide a reward scheme to help our clubs recruit, support and reward our young volunteers.”
Halton then enrolled Jordan on to the Young Ambassadors scheme via the Table Tennis England website. He has since received certificates, a T-shirt and a hoodie for completing 10 hours, 30 hours and 50 hours volunteering.
The work he has carried out has included organising fun games for young players, running coaching exercises and games and supporting players at the Inter-Regional Finals.
Jordan has also qualified as a Level 1 coach and Level 1 Umpire. He has umpired finals at Halton 1 Star and 2 Star events. Recently Jordan attended a TTKidz activator training course, so he can be involved in delivering the courses. Jordan is always available to assist with clearing the hall and setting up for big events.
Jordan is a great example of a Young Volunteer who works tirelessly at his club, avidly supported and mentored by the club’s People’s Champion Karen Tonge MBE, who has a wealth of experience in running a table tennis club and who is always there to support and encourage Jordan.
Karen said: “It’s great that Table Tennis England are supporting and recognising our young club volunteers, to help clubs to continue to grow and develop its membership base.
“The young people are a great addition to attending club meetings, coming up with new ideas and IT/marketing support, to help our ageing population of adult volunteers within our clubs.
“I would certainly recommend all table tennis clubs to sign their young volunteers up to the TTE Young Ambassador Scheme.”
Table Tennis England’s Young Ambassador Scheme for 2019 will re-open on September 16th, 2019, so in the meantime please follow the links below for information on the programme and to sign your youngsters up to the scheme
https://tabletennisengland.co.uk/coach/young-ambassadors-programme/